One cheat day a week?????????

TotalPackageLive

I keep hearing this diet philosophy to lose weight, that you work hard and then reward yourself with one day a week as a free day. Soooooooooooo, do I get to completely spaz out on this one day or does that grant me one Bad Girl Meal. What does your typical cheat day look like?

lyndausvi

I don't have a cheat day. I eat what I want when I want as long as it fits my numbers. I just watch portions and/or adjust my other meals accordingly.

lexoxoc

I usually allow myself one cheat meal on the weekend, but I still do my best not to go way over my calories with that one meal and try to still be under but I do not kick myself if I do go way over. During the week if I want a bit of chocolate, ice cream, or alcohol, ect. Ill let myself have it because I don't like feeling deprived, I just make sure I eat them in moderation and stay within my calories!

beachlover317

I've been on MFP for over a year. I have never had a "Cheat Day". I think the most helpful thing I have learned from some awesome people on MFP, is that you eat a normal diet in moderation. I haven't cut out any "demonic" foods or started eating any "super fat burning" foods. I eat what I like, lift heavy & enjoy my life. I've dieted many times and lost and then regained. This time is working because it's sustainable. I encourage you to try this. Good luck.

chandanista

My "cheat day" is still logged, and generally I still stay within maintenance. I usually use it to tackle foods I have wanted during the week but haven't fit into my daily calorie allotment. Since I bumped up my daily from 1200 to 1600, my "cheat days" haven't been nearly so necessary. Surprisingly, I usually only go over 100-200 cals anymore, counting eating back exercise. So whatever works for you, but I don't suggest going hog wild in a greasy spoon restaurant.

ev0318

I do a cheat meal and then I just stay on track with the rest of my day by watching portion size and counting those calories.
I find that if I do a cheat day then it just snowballs and I feel guilty about it. It's a vicious cycle.

into_0blivion

I always have a cheat day on the weekend! It really depends how comfortable you are doing it, and how far along you've come. You can limit it to one cheat meal or cheat all day long, just watch the scale and see how your body reacts.

britzzie

I don't have a cheat day. I eat what I want when I want as long as it fits my numbers. I just watch portions and/or adjust my other meals accordingly.

This. You're not a dog, don't reward yourself with food.

Also, depending on your deficit and how much you go overboard, you can blow out any deficit you've created during the week in one day. Easily.

FakingFitness

I don't have a cheat day. I eat what I want when I want as long as it fits my numbers. I just watch portions and/or adjust my other meals accordingly.

This. You're not a dog, don't reward yourself with food.

Exactly!

daveymac1

I do a cheat day as well. I don't go overboard and eat everything I can shove down my pie hole! I find if I don't do this, then down the road, I will binge, and it turns ugly fast. For me, this just helps the craving. Hopefully down the road, I won't have these cravings anymore!

chrisloveslife

There's usually one night every two weeks where I go out with my friends and don't log what I drink. I've consistantly been losing weight, so it's working. I just make sure I workout extra hard on Sundays.

beachlover317

If you continue with the mindset that food is a "reward" then you will continue to have problems. Why not eat what you like in moderation?? Learn to eat like a normal person. Look at your food differently.

JisatsuHoshi

Weekly or Bi-weekly I would have a massive 24 hr refeed with a goal of hitting 1000g+ carbs...

KissMeImShtFaced

I don't have a cheat day. I eat what I want when I want as long as it fits my numbers. I just watch portions and/or adjust my other meals accordingly.

This. You're not a dog, don't reward yourself with food.

Yes! Belly rubs as rewards are preferred anyways.

Dharmafor1

Personally, I limit it to a cheat meal, maybe once a week but I've been stretching it to every few weeks. I don't think I would go wild for a whole day though. I usually try to have something that is not the hardest thing to bounce back from too, but that is what works for me. Also maybe a small desert type treat if i really dont go overboard! My usual thing that i go for is good hand tossed pizza! I might have three or four slices though. Ill drink water or unsweetened ice tea with it and then that's it . No sweets! Or sometimes a big pasta dinner with soup but no dessert with it. I also stagger my calories from day to day so Between that and a few harder workouts I have a few xtra calories to spare. One thing that I do is make sure I do something to workout on my cheat day to knock out those few extra calories back off. In my experience because I stagger calories anyway, sometimes I'll notice a real slight gain the following day after a cheat day, but 2 days later it's back off and and an additional pound or so is too. I'd try starting with a meal first and see how that works. I have friends that aren't trying to lose weight. They watch their diet Monday through Friday and do whatever they want on the weekend. I don't think that would work well for me though. See what others say but good luck.

TotalPackageLive

I've never done the cheat day, but have heard many people say they do. This does help, still stay within your numbers regardless. I love all kinds of foods and love veggies most. My issue has always been that when I do indulge I have a tendency to continue too. MFP, has helped me put my goals into a realistic perspective, I can definitely say.

Kelly043

I have almost completed week 2 of the Carb Cycle diet by Chris Powell, the guy who does the Extreme Weight Loss show on ABC. We have one "cheat" day a week - which doesn't mean you can eat whatever you want regardless of calories, etc. Basically you alternate low carb days and high carb days throughout the week and one day a week you can eat an extra 1,000 calories to allow for foods you'd like for a treat now and then, so you do not feel deprived of your old favorites, etc. There are additional rules, foods recommended on each day, etc., but that's the basic gyst of it.

I lost 3 lbs the first week. It is working for me so far.

Afura

Cheating means you're on a diet. Diets fail. I do on occasion have a splurge where I'll knowingly go over calories, but it ultimately evens out over the week. That happened last night, a friend who was having a bad day, and just needed to say F it. Burgers, fries, and a chocolate shake. It was delicious, we had fun, it put me over calories, and I moved on. I refuse to let food make me feel guilty.

blgerig

I usually allow myself one cheat meal on the weekend, but I still do my best not to go way over my calories with that one meal and try to still be under but I do not kick myself if I do go way over. During the week if I want a bit of chocolate, ice cream, or alcohol, ect. Ill let myself have it because I don't like feeling deprived, I just make sure I eat them in moderation and stay within my calories!

I do the same essentially. I usually do my long runs or big workouts on Saturday so that helps balance if I go out drinking with friends or something similar. In the meantime I don't have off-limit foods, I fit small indulgences into my eating during the week if I want them! Doesn't mean I eat anything I want (not having a burger + milkshake + fries + beer on a regular basis) but pick one thing I really want and work it in!

TotalPackageLive

Weekly or Bi-weekly I would have a massive 24 hr refeed with a goal of hitting 1000g+ carbs...

What do you mean by 24hr refeed?

taniiagirl

My cheat day just means munch and no workout, I normally keep it under my calorie goal though. Me and my boyfriend spend one day a week just chilling together on our day off work, normally toast for breakfast, munch through the day eg. crisps, biscuits the a quarter of a pizza for dinner I won't let my diet and weightloss ruin the one day a week we spend solely on eachother.

TotalPackageLive

Cheating means you're on a diet. Diets fail. I do on occasion have a splurge where I'll knowingly go over calories, but it ultimately evens out over the week. That happened last night, a friend who was having a bad day, and just needed to say F it. Burgers, fries, and a chocolate shake. It was delicious, we had fun, it put me over calories, and I moved on. I refuse to let food make me feel guilty.

ChrisRS87

i have refeed days.

and I LOVE rewarding myself with food. If such basic positive reinforcement puts you in the category with canines, what do you think your boss is doing every time he admires your work?

TotalPackageLive

:drinker:

i have refeed days.

and I LOVE rewarding myself with food. If such basic positive reinforcement puts you in the category with canines, what do you think your boss is doing every time he admires your work?

kmartinixx

I allow myself one cheat MEAL a week. But look if you want an oreo, have an oreo. Just have ONE. Ya know? It's all about moderation and whether you're going to work it off in the gym later. On the days I have my cheat meal, I don't go all out. I just eat what I feel like having that day for dinner, but the rest of the day is my healthier routine.

Dharmafor1

Sorry but I don't agree that cheating means your on a diet and you should by default just fit it in as you want it and if it fits your goals. If that is what works for you go for it, but I dont eat deprived, ever. By this I don't just mean adding a square of chocolate oif you want it but a high value meal that wouldn't normally be a dailly meal choice, but you may like to have. Somedays though, I allow an extra indulgance that for me I don't even want as a cornerstone of my diet, read lifestyle. Personally I don't think it's healthy to eat something like pizza or a Big Mac everyday so you don't have cravings. Those are not foods that I have ever eaten daily, but if I am having pizza, I am having a few slices. For me they have always been treat like items. Well not the big Mac but that's because I don't like fast food. I love chocolate cake, but I am not going to eat it everyday just because I can either. Also I cycle, so on those days I can eat loads of food just to break even on my base requirements. Balance is the key but please don't be judgmental on others approaches or your personal definition on what diet is.

toutmonpossible

Cheat days work for some people. But you have to be completely honest with yourself. Are you likely to even subconsciously use the occasion as an excuse to eat well beyond what you should?

I don't do cheat days. Which doesn't mean that I don't overeat some days, but I don't have sanctioned, weekly sessions. I also allow myself to eat whatever I want on my birthday, major holidays and very special events. Great food is part of life.

For me, the "lifestyle change" is a continuing awareness of what I can eat at a particular stage of life. The days when I could eat anything without consequences are long gone.

mtnhiker1

I keep track of calories - if I am under for the week, I can cheat up to the amount I have left for the week. Don't always do it, but it is nice to have it there when I go out to eat or if I happen to want a little extra.

toutmonpossible

I allow myself one cheat MEAL a week. But look if you want an oreo, have an oreo. Just have ONE. Ya know? It's all about moderation and whether you're going to work it off in the gym later.

Some people can't have one cookie. Moderation is not the path for everyone. Exercise is important, but it should never be a quid-pro-quo for eating food you can't afford. For one thing, you probably don't have enough time to exercise off all the calories.

Happymelz

If you continue with the mindset that food is a "reward" then you will continue to have problems. Why not eat what you like in moderation?? Learn to eat like a normal person. Look at your food differently.

Lolol...all the "normal' people I know reward themselves with food. Unfortunalely it is a HUGE part of southern culture.

I have always had food issues and used food as a reward. I am working towards healthy eating habits. BUT my brain rebels if i have too many restrictions.

So, I have one meal a week that can be whatever I am craving, but then I try to keep the rest of the day within my calories if possible.

Also, I've noticed that it is a great way to "shock" your metabolism if weight loss has slowed.

*Currently I'm working on repairing metabolic damage so I'm using "maintanence" calories and I'm not having a cheat day.

beachlover317

If you continue with the mindset that food is a "reward" then you will continue to have problems. Why not eat what you like in moderation?? Learn to eat like a normal person. Look at your food differently.

Lolol...all the "normal' people I know reward themselves with food. Unfortunalely it is a HUGE part of southern culture.

I have always had food issues and used food as a reward. I am working towards healthy eating habits. BUT my brain rebels if i have too many restrictions.

So, I have one meal a week that can be whatever I am craving, but then I try to keep the rest of the day within my calories if possible.

Also, I've noticed that it is a great way to "shock" your metabolism if weight loss has slowed.

*Currently I'm working on repairing metabolic damage so I'm using "maintanence" calories and I'm not having a cheat day.

I am from the south, too. I've never known people that didn't reward themselves with food. I am 55 and have spent the majority of my life focusing on too much food, too little food, the right foods, the wrong foods, etc. Food doesn't need to be a reward to me and as long as I think of food that way, I'm gonna have trouble! Now, I eat what I want in moderation. I'm afraid that a 'cheat meal' would be too hard for me. That's the way I used to eat, all the time. Now, I eat more normally (probably used the wrong term when I said normal people). I eat what my body needs to run efficiently. I try and focus on things other than the food at family functions, parties, etc. This is really working. I've been doing it for over a year and it's not hard to do. I don't feel deprived & I feel I could do this for the rest of my life - which is my plan.

That was all my comment was intended to relay. Everyone is free to follow their own path. :flowerforyou: